2008.01.08

EGYPT AND JAPAN HOLD A SERIES OF BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Within the framework of Egypt’s keen efforts to enhance economic cooperation with Japan, H.E. Ambassador Ramzi Ezzeldin Ramzi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt for Economic Affairs and International Cooperation, paid a working visit to Tokyo from December 17^th till December 22^nd 2007.

During his visit, Ambassador Ramzi paid a courtesy call to H.E Mr. Masahiko Koumura Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan where he delivered a written message from H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Ramzi also held meetings with senior Japanese officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry, the Vice President of JICA, the Executive Vice President of JETRO, and a member of the Japanese Diet, with whom he discussed a series of trade and investment issues related to bilateral relations as well as regional and international economic issues of common interest between Egypt and Japan such as:

• Means of updating the Agreement between Egypt and Japan on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Income Taxes which was signed 1969, and the Agreement concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment which was signed in 1978 in order to reflect the recent developments in both economies.
• Consideration of establishing a flexible bilateral mechanism between the two countries to study ways and means of further promoting economic relations between the two countries, particularly enhancing Japanese investment flows to Egypt and encouraging Japanese imports from Egypt.
• Pursuing and further expanding the Egyptian-Japanese trilateral cooperation programs in African, Arab, and Asian countries.
• Preparation for TICAD VI and G8 summits that will take place in Japan during the year 2008.

On the same line of Egypt’s keenness to maintain and enhance the current momentum characterizing the Egyptian Japanese relations, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Zoheir Garana, Minister of Tourism, H. E. Dr. Mahmoud Safwat Mohieldim, Minister of Investment, and H.E. Engineer Maged George Ghattas, Minister of State for Environment Affairs, will all pay working visits to Japan in the course of February 2008 to exchange viewpoints and to seek ways and means of enhancing and promoting the friendly relationship between the two countries in the areas of competence of each Minister.